Frasure-Kruzel-Drew Memorial Fellowship

Applications for the 2018—2020 FKD Fellowship recruitment cycle are CLOSED! The next recruitment cycle starting Fall 2018 will be open to seniors, graduate students and recent graduates from James Madison University only. We encourage you to check back to this website in the fall or follow CISR on Facebook for future announcements.

NOTE: The next FKD Fellowship recruitment cycle for eligible four year institutions in D.C., Maryland and Virginia students/alumni will be Fall 2019 for a fellowship term of July 2020-June 2022.

What is the Frasure-Kruzel-Drew Memorial Fellowship?

The Frasure-Kruzel-Drew Memorial Fellowship is a paid, full-time, two-year career development opportunity sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) and administered by the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR). The selected fellow will serve in PM/WRA’s Washington, D.C. office and gain valuable experience in managing foreign security and humanitarian assistance-related programs.

PM/WRA manages the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) program, which includes an array of assistance activities that enhance U.S. national security, protect civilian populations from the dangers posed by conventional arms, assist victims of conflict, and facilitate economic development. CWD encompasses small arms/light weapons (SA/LW) destruction and stockpile management programs, as well as humanitarian mine action (HMA) assistance. Through these activities, PM/WRA reduces the harmful worldwide effects of at-risk, illicitly-proliferated, and indiscriminately-used conventional weapons of war. With approximately $185 million annually, PM/WRA oversees CWD projects in more than 40 countries on five continents, and has provided over $2.9 billion in assistance to more than 100 countries since 1993. Learn more about PM/WRA and its mission at: http://www.state.gov/t/pm/wra

A new FKD Fellow is selected annually from a competitive group of collegeseniors, graduate students or recent graduates (within one year of graduation). During the first year of the two-year fellowship term, the selected candidate serves as “Junior Fellow” within PM/WRA’s Resource Management Division, learning the fundamentals of foreign assistance, grants, and contract management and the CWD program. At the start of the second year, the fellow will transition to “Senior Fellow” status and rotate to PM/WRA’s Program Management Division, to gain hands-on experience managing CWD projects around the globe. Throughout the two-year term, the fellow will publicly promote CWD successes by authoring materials for State Department websites and social media outlets, drafting newsletters, and conducting speaking engagements.

The FKD Fellowship was established in 1999, originally to raise awareness among the American people about landmine contamination around the world and U.S. government efforts to address the problem. Since then, the fellowship has expanded with PM/WRA’s mission into other conventional weapons destruction activities, including SA/LW stockpile destruction and security. The fellowship is named in memory of Ambassador Robert C. Frasure, Dr. Joseph J. Kruzel and Colonel Samuel Nelson Drew who lost their lives in an August 1995 automobile accident in Bosnia and Herzegovina while on a diplomatic mission to negotiate an end to the conflict there. Their efforts were among the first to help bring peace to the region. This fellowship was created in their honor to perpetuate their legacies of diplomacy, education, and public service.

Fellowship Recruitment and the Application Process:

The next FKD fellowship will tentatively run from July 1, 2018–June 30, 2020.

Year one as Junior Fellow: Approximately July 2018 – June 2019

Year two as Senior Fellow: Approximately July 2019 – June 2020

Eligibility: College seniors, graduate students and recent graduates (within one year) from accredited, four-year institutions of higher education within the District of Colombia. Maryland and Virginia.

During the current fellowship selection cycle, preference will be given to applications from institutions within the listed region, James Madison University excepted. (NOTE: The next FKD Fellowship recruitment cycle for James Madison University students/alumni only will be Fall 2018 for a fellowship term of July 2019—June 2021.)

Primary consideration will be given to applicants who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and who demonstrate the ability to write and communicate well. Attention will also be given to strong reference letters, alignment with career goals, and relevant experiences in and out of the classroom.

The selected candidate must qualify for a U.S. SECRET security clearance. Actual start date of fellowship depends on when security clearance is received.

To Apply: Please download the application form, read the instructions thoroughly, fill out completely, sign and return the original hard copy with ink signature via postal mail along with all required supporting documents to arrive at the address provided on the application instructions before the deadline.

Deadline: Thursday, November 9, 2017 before 5:00 p.m. EST

NOTE: The deadline is not a “postmarked by” deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

What is the FKD Fellowship Experience?

“During the fellowship … [I] knew that my work contributed to improving lives around the world … from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Burkina Faso. My time as a FKD Fellow has truly been an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.” – FKD Fellow 2015-17

“Located in Washington D.C., it is easy to immerse yourself in the international community and develop a strong network.”– FKD Fellow 2014-15

Fellowship Duties: In the first year of the two-year fellowship program, the Junior Fellow will assist the Resource Management Division in PM/WRA, gaining an overview of how the office operates and manages CWD programs around the world, and hone his/her business skills negotiating grants, contracts, and other agreements for CWD implementation. In the second year, the now-Senior Fellow will build off this knowledge base by assisting PM/WRA’s Program Management Division with overseeing CWD projects in various countries. The two-year experience will expose the fellow to the breadth of DoS and USG activities to reduce threats associated with conventional arms stockpiles and assist post-conflict communities, and thus is oriented toward developing fellows’ careers.

Fellows will assist PM/WRA staff with a variety of support responsibilities. These might include writing official blog posts and assisting with publications; conducting issue research; preparing presentations and talking points; organizing WRA-hosted conferences; processing grant documents; and traveling on program assessment visits. Recently, the fellows have also assisted in organizing and managing budgets, strategic planning, and speaking on behalf of PM/WRA. It will also afford fellows the opportunity to engage with senior State Department officials and learn more about the Department’s mission and inner workings, as well as speak with foreign government officials and represent PM/WRA abroad.

International Travel: The fellowship includes the possibility of international travel. Past fellows have traveled to places such as: Albania, Cambodia, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Jordan, Kosovo, Laos, Mozambique, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, the UAE, and Zimbabwe. While past fellows have had the opportunity to travel as part of their fellowship experience, travel is not guaranteed and is subject to PM/WRA management approval and availability of funds.

FAQs

Yes! The pay starts at approximately $19.00 per hour and may be subject to increase for the second year pending approval and availability of funds.

How many hours will I work per week?

The fellowship schedule is based on a 40-hour workweek in a Federal Government office.

Does the position provide health insurance?

Yes, health insurance and other benefits are available with this full-time position.

Will I earn credit hours?

You may be able to earn internship credit toward your degree program – check with your institution or program for its specific policies.

When will I know if I've been selected for an interview?

Applications will be reviewed in November 2017. Interviews scheduled for early December 2017 in Washington, D.C. Interviews will include participation by DOS officials and CISR staff. The selected fellow and two alternates will be named shortly thereafter.

Can I still apply if I am currently abroad or will be so during the interview period?

Yes. The selection committee may agree to conduct an interview remotely if the qualified candidate is abroad for study, work or service. However, selected interviewees should make every reasonable effort to appear in-person.

What if I or of my references are overseas and the mail is not reliable?

Applicant must contact the CISR Fellowship Coordinator (aldri2la@jmu.edu) as soon as possible before the deadline to seek alternate arrangements.

Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen to apply?

Once selected, the candidate must be able to qualify for a U.S. SECRET security clearance. For more information on security clearance requirements, see the DoS Security Clearance FAQs.